The Combined Influence of Cover Crops and Manure on Maize and Soybean Yield in a Kentucky Silt Loam Soil

Management that degrades soil can be one of the main causes of low agricultural productivity and environmental problems in many agricultural regions. There is renewed interest in soil conservation practices to promote sustainable agriculture by improving soil quality and productivity. In this study, the short-term on-farm benefits of cover crops and manure on crop yield and biomass were examined during two consecutive growing seasons. The experiment was conducted at a small-producer farm in Logan County, Kentucky, USA. Soybean (Glycine max L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) were used as summer annual rotation crops in no-tilled soils. A cover crop mix of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) was planted after the main crop was harvested each year. Aboveground biomass of the soybean and maize were assessed, and yield was estimated from hand-harvested plants. In the first year of the study (2016), there were apparent but not significant beneficial effects of animal manure and cover crops on soybean yield, but not on biomass. The biomass and maize grain yield in the second year (2017) were detectable, significant, and increased as a result of the cover crops and manure application (p < 0.05). While beneficial effects of combining cover crops and manure may not be obvious in the first year of a rotation, they can be apparent in subsequent years. However, longer-term observation and measurement are necessary to better quantify the relationship between sustainable conservation practices and productivity.

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Effectiveness of Cover Crop Termination Methods on No-Till Cantaloupe

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture12010066 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 66

Author(s):

Ted S. Kornecki ◽

Corey M. Kichler

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Two Stage ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Termination Rate ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

No Till ◽

Crop Planting

In a no-till system, there are many different methods available for terminating cover crops. Mechanical termination, utilizing rolling and crimping technology, is one method that injures the plant without cutting the stems. Another popular and commercially available method is mowing, but this can cause problems with cover crop re-growth and loose residue interfering with the planter during cash crop planting. A field experiment was conducted over three growing seasons in northern Alabama to determine the effects of different cover crops and termination methods on cantaloupe yield in a no-till system. Crimson clover, cereal rye, and hairy vetch cover crops were terminated using two different roller-crimpers, including a two-stage roller-crimper for four-wheel tractors and a powered roller-crimper for a two-wheel walk-behind tractor. Cover crop termination rates were evaluated one, two, and three weeks after termination. Three weeks after rolling, a higher termination rate was found for flail mowing (92%) compared to lower termination rates for a two-stage roller (86%) and powered roller-crimper (85%), while the control termination rate was only 49%. There were no significant differences in cantaloupe yield among the rolling treatments, which averaged 38,666 kg ha−1. However, yields were higher for cereal rye and hairy vetch cover crops (41,785 kg ha−1 and 42,000 kg ha−1) compared to crimson clover (32,213 kg ha−1).

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Evaluation of Chemical Termination Options for Cover Crops

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2017.113 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 227-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Matheus G. Palhano ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

Tom Barber

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Crop Acreage ◽

Potential Cost ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

And Control

AbstractCover crop acreage has substantially increased over the last few years due to the intent of growers to capitalize on federal conservation payments and incorporate sustainable practices into agricultural systems. Despite all the known benefits, widespread adoption of cover crops still remains limited due to potential cost and management requirements. Cover crop termination is crucial, because a poorly controlled cover crop can become a weed and lessen the yield potential of the current cash crop. A field study was conducted in fall 2015 and 2016 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville to evaluate preplant herbicide options for terminating cover crops. Glyphosate-containing treatments controlled 97% to 100% of cereal rye and wheat, but glyphosate alone controlled less than 57% of legume cover crops. The most effective way to control hairy vetch, Austrian winterpea, and crimson clover with glyphosate resulted from mixtures of glyphosate with glufosinate, 2,4-D, and dicamba. Higher rates of auxin herbicides improved control in these mixtures. Glufosinate alone or in mixture controlled legume cover crops 81% or more. Paraquat plus metribuzin was effective in terminating both cereal and legume cover crops, with control of cereal cover crops ranging from 87% to 97% and control of legumes ranging from 90% to 96%. None of these herbicides or mixtures adequately controlled rapeseed.

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Carryover of Common Corn and Soybean Herbicides to Various Cover Crop Species

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-16-00062.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 21-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Cody D. Cornelius ◽

Kevin W. Bradley

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Production Systems ◽

Italian Ryegrass ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Crop Establishment ◽

Biomass Reduction

The recent interest in cover crops as component of Midwest corn and soybean production systems has led to the need for additional research, including the effects of residual corn and soybean herbicide treatments on fall cover crop establishment. Field studies were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in Columbia, Missouri to investigate the effects of common residual herbicides applied in corn and soybean on establishment of winter wheat, tillage radish, cereal rye, crimson clover, winter oat, Austrian winter pea, Italian ryegrass, and hairy vetch. Cover crops were evaluated for stand and biomass reduction 28 d after emergence (DAE). Rainfall from herbicide application to cover crop seeding date was much greater in 2014 and 2015, which resulted in less carryover in these years compared to 2013. When averaged across all herbicides evaluated in these experiments, the general order of sensitivity of cover crops to herbicide carryover, from greatest to least was Austrian winter pea=crimson clover>oilseed radish>Italian ryegrass>hairy vetch>wheat >winter oat>cereal rye. Cereal rye had the fewest instances of biomass or stand reduction with only four out of the 27 herbicides adversely effecting establishment. Pyroxasulfone consistently reduced Italian ryegrass and winter oat biomass at least 67% in both the corn and soybean experiments. In the soybean experiment, imazethapyr- and fomesafen-containing products resulted in severe stand and biomass reduction in both years while flumetsulam-containing products resulted in the greatest carryover symptoms in the corn experiment. Results from these experiments suggest that several commonly used corn and soybean herbicides have the potential to hinder cover crop establishment, but the severity of damage will depend on weather, cover crop species, and the specific herbicide combination.

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Herbicide Programs for the Termination of Various Cover Crop Species

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2017.20 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 514-522 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cody D. Cornelius ◽

Kevin W. Bradley

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Production Systems ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Herbicide Treatments

The recent interest in cover crops as a component of Midwest corn and soybean production systems has led to a greater need to understand the most effective herbicide treatments for cover crop termination prior to planting corn or soybean. Previous research has shown that certain cover crop species can significantly reduce subsequent cash crop yields if not completely terminated. Two field experiments were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to determine the most effective herbicide program for the termination of winter wheat, cereal rye, crimson clover, Austrian winter pea, annual ryegrass, and hairy vetch; and cover crops were terminated in early April or early May. Visual control and above ground biomass reduction was determined 28 d after application (DAA). Control of grass cover crop species was often best with glyphosate alone or combined with 2,4-D, dicamba, or saflufenacil. The most consistent control of broadleaf cover crops occurred following treatment with glyphosate +2,4-D, dicamba, or saflufenacil. In general, control of cover crops was higher with early April applications compared to early May. In a separate study, control of 15-, 25-, and 75-cm tall annual ryegrass was highest with glyphosate at 2.8 kg ha−1or glyphosate at 1.4 kg ha−1plus clethodim at 0.136 kgha−1. Paraquat- or glufosinate-containing treatments did not provide adequate annual ryegrass control. For practitioners who desire higher levels of cover crop biomass, these results indicate that adequate levels of cover crop control can still be achieved in the late spring with certain herbicide treatments. But it is important to consider cover crop termination well in advance to ensure the most effective herbicide or herbicide combinations are used and the products are applied at the appropriate stage.

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Evaluating Cover Crops and Herbicides for Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control in Cotton

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-15-00113.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 415-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Matthew S. Wiggins ◽

Robert M. Hayes ◽

Lawrence E. Steckel

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

The United States ◽

Palmer Amaranth ◽

Amaranthus Palmeri ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

Herbicide Programs

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, especially GR Palmer amaranth, are very problematic in cotton-producing areas of the midsouthern region of the United States. Growers rely heavily on PRE residual herbicides to control Palmer amaranth since few effective POST options exist. Interest in integrating high-residue cover crops with existing herbicide programs to combat GR weeds has increased. Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Tennessee to evaluate GR Palmer amaranth control when integrating cover crops and PRE residual herbicides. Cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter wheat, and combinations of one grass plus one legume were compared with winter weeds without a cover crop followed by fluometuron or acetochlor applied PRE. Biomass of cover crops was determined prior to termination 3 wk before planting. Combinations of grass and legume cover crops accumulated the most biomass (> 3,500 kg ha−1) but by 28 d after application (DAA) the cereal rye and wheat provided the best Palmer amaranth control. Crimson clover and hairy vetch treatments had the greatest number of Palmer amaranth. These cereal and legume blends reduced Palmer amaranth emergence by half compared to non–cover-treated areas. Fluometuron and acetochlor controlled Palmer amaranth 95 and 89%, respectively, at 14 DAA and 54 and 62%, respectively, at 28 DAA. Cover crops in combination with a PRE herbicide did not adequately control Palmer amaranth.

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Cover Crop and Postemergence Herbicide Integration for Palmer amaranth Control in Cotton

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2017.10 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 348-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Matthew S. Wiggins ◽

Robert M. Hayes ◽

Robert L. Nichols ◽

Lawrence E. Steckel

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Palmer Amaranth ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Annual Grasses ◽

Winter Annual ◽

Hand Weeding

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the integration of cover crops and POST herbicides to control glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in cotton. The winter-annual grasses accumulated the greatest amount of biomass and provided the most Palmer amaranth control. The estimates for the logistic regression would indicate that 1540 kg ha−1would delay Palmer amaranth emerging and growing to 10 cm by an estimated 16.5 days. The Palmer amaranth that emerged in the cereal rye and wheat cover crop treatments took a longer time to reach 10 cm compared to the hairy vetch and crimson clover treatments. POST herbicides were needed for adequate control of Palmer amaranth. The glufosinate-based weed control system provided greater control (75% vs 31%) of Palmer amaranth than did the glyphosate system. These results indicate that a POST only herbicide weed management system did not provide sufficient control of Palmer amaranth, even when used in conjunction with cover crops that produced a moderate level of biomass. Therefore, future recommendations for GR Palmer amaranth control will include integrating cover crops with PRE herbicides, overlaying residual herbicides in-season, timely POST herbicide applications, and hand weeding in order to achieve season-long control of this pest.

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Effect of Different Rolling/Crimping Directions and Row Cleaners for Cereal Rye Cover Crop on Cotton Growth in a Conservation System

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.12635 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 61 (6) ◽

pp. 1845-1855

Author(s):

Ted S. Kornecki

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Rolling Direction ◽

Cotton Yield ◽

Seed Cotton ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Seed Cotton Yield ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Emergence Rate ◽

Time Required

Abstract. Cover crops have been recognized as a vital part of conservation agriculture, but they need to be managed appropriately to avoid planting problems related to the large amounts of biomass. Typically, cover crops are rolled in the same direction as the travel direction of the planter, but producers have been inquiring if other rolling directions are also effective. To answer this question, replicated field experiments (split-plot design) were conducted at two locations in Alabama during three growing seasons to evaluate different rolling directions of a cereal rye cover crop, i.e., non-rolled (standing rye), 0° (cotton planting direction), 180° (opposite of planting direction), 15° (offset from 0°), and 195° (15° offset from 180°), using a roller/crimper. A no-till cotton planter with different row cleaners, i.e., a commercially available row cleaner (Dawn with coulter), a residue pusher with and without a coulter, and no row cleaner (control), was used to determine the effects of rolling direction and row cleaners on cotton population, emergence rate, and yield. The rye cover crop was terminated with a roller/crimper and glyphosate. Among growing seasons, significant differences existed in rye production, cotton population, emergence rate index (ERI), seed cotton yield, amount of residue accumulated on the planter, and the time required to remove residue from the planter. For the rolling direction treatments, higher cotton population was found for 0° and non-rolled rye, and the lowest population was found with 195°. The ERI was higher for 0° and non-rolled rye, and the lowest ERI was observed for 195°. For the row cleaner treatments, the cotton population and ERI were both higher for Dawn with coulter and pusher with coulter. Across three growing seasons, cotton yield was not affected by rolling direction but was affected by row cleaner. Significantly higher cotton yield was associated with Dawn with coulter and pusher with or without coulter, compared to lower yield for no row cleaner. The important findings were that residue accumulation was not problematic when the cover crop was rolled. When the cover crop was not rolled, the pusher accumulated more residue than Dawn with coulter; however, the time required to remove the residue was more than 3 times higher for Dawn with coulter as compared to the pusher. The data indicated that, across all growing seasons and locations, rolling direction and row cleaner affected the cotton population, ERI, residue accumulation on the planter, and the time required to remove residue. In contrast, rolling direction did not affect seed cotton yield, but row cleaner had an effect on seed cotton yield. Based on the results, the best combination of rolling direction and row cleaner was 15° offset to the cotton planting direction and Dawn with coulter, which resulted in higher cotton population, ERI, and seed cotton yield without residue accumulation on the row cleaner. However, the 0° and 180° Dawn with coulter and 15° pusher with coulter combinations were also effective in producing relatively higher cotton population, ERI, and seed cotton yield. Keywords: Conservation system, Cotton yield, Emergence, Plant population, Residue pusher, Roller/crimper, Rolling direction, Row cleaner, Rye cover crop.

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Impact of Different Cover Crops and Types of Transplanter Mounted Subsoiler Shanks on Tomato Yield

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.46.5.715 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 46 (5) ◽

pp. 715-720 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ted S. Kornecki ◽

Francisco J. Arriaga

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Total Yield ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Tillage Practices ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Tomato Yield ◽

Marketable Fruit ◽

The Impact

A 4-year experiment with different tillage practices for tomatoes was conducted in Cullman, AL, to determine the impact of plastic mulch (control), rye and crimson clover cover crops, and different subsoiler shanks (no shank, slim 13 mm thick and wide 20 mm thick) on tomato yield. Overall, during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons, total tomato yields (between 58,905 and 60,115 kg·ha−1) and marketable tomato yields (between 48,331 and 49,873 kg·ha−1) were significantly higher than in 2005 and 2006 (between 49,656 and 50,151 kg·ha−1 and from 40,581 to 41,194 kg·ha−1) for total and marketable tomato yields, respectively. During the 2006 and 2008 growing seasons, plastic cover provided higher yield (60,921 and 73,718 kg·ha−1) compared with rye and crimson clover overall shank treatments. In 2007, higher yield was produced following rye without shank (70,577 kg·ha−1) compared with plastic mulch and crimson clover treatments. Across years, tomato yield after crimson clover was lower compared with rye and plastic. Percent of marketable fruit yield to total yield exceeded 80% in all treatments, including the plastic control. Cover crops and shank treatments did not affect percentage of marketable tomato yield compared with total tomato yield. Cover crops, especially rye, can provide an alternative in tomato production for those producers not wanting to use plastic mulches.

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Developing Cover Crops for Weed Control in Establishment Year for Strawberries

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.820a ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 820A-820

Author(s):

Charlotte Herman ◽

David Larson ◽

Emily Hoover

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Plant Material ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

First Year ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Stage Of Development ◽

Soil Area

The goal of our program is to learn how to effectively establish first-year strawberry plantings without using herbicides. Before strawberry transplanting, four treatments were established: winter wheat, a dwarf Brassica sp., napropamide (2.24 kg·h–1) plus hand hoeing and rototilling, and no weed management. `Honeyoye' transplants were set into plots measuring 6.1 × 7.32 m on 21 May 1993 and 10 May 1994. Weekly data was taken on the percentage of soil area covered with plant material, height, and stage of development of plants, and weeds present. Weed transects and plant dry weights were done periodically during the growing seasons. The most promising cover crop treatment was the dwarf Brassica sp. for early season weed suppression because of rapid germination and short stature. Winter wheat was very competitive with the strawberry plants. The herbicide treatment had the largest inputs; however, it did produce the largest strawberry plants at the end of the season.

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Population Parameters and Probing Behavior of Cowpea Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae), on Preferred and Non-Preferred Host Cover Crops

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-28.2.145 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 145-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Walid Kaakeh ◽

James D. Dutcher

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Developmental Time ◽

Vicia Villosa ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Probing Behavior ◽

Sesbania Exaltata ◽

Cowpea Aphid

Developmental time, fecundity, nymphal mortality, generation time, intrinsic and finite rates of increase, and time for population to double were compared for cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, reared on cover crop seedlings of sesbania, Sesbania exaltata (Rafinesque-Schmaltz) Cory; cowpea, Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walpers; hairy indigo, Indigofera hirsuta L.; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth; crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L.; and cereal rye, Secale cereale L. The study was conducted under near-ambient temperatures in a greenhouse from late January to mid-April. Developmental, pre-reproductive, and generation times of A. craccivora were the shortest on V. unguiculata, followed by S. exaltata and I hirsuta. However, mean total fecundity, fecundity rate, and intrinsic and finite rates of increase were higher on V. unguiculata and I. hirsuta than on the other species. No differences in life parameters were detected when A. craccivora developed on the same plant species at different evaluation periods. Probing behavior of individual A. craccivora differed on various cover crops. Mean probe duration was longer on V. unguiculata and I. hirsuta, but time to start the first probe, number of probes per access period, and non-probing duration were shorter than on other plant species evaluated.

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